“Nonsense, Gwen; it’s the greatest mistake in the world not to eat. When people lose their appetites they invariably lose their looks.”
“I’ll take my chance of that,” replied Lady Gwendolyn coldly. “Do you want Clémentine?” she added, in a lower voice. “It is really necessary that I should speak to you at once.”
“What, have you got mysteries as well as Colonel Dacre?” she exclaimed, with a levity that would have displeased Lady Gwendolyn at any time, and absolutely disgusted her now. “I am very unfortunate in my friends.”
“I think you are,” replied Lady Gwendolyn, with involuntary sternness.
Lady Teignmouth looked straight at her sister-in-law, flushed slightly, and then assumed a sulky air.
“At any rate, Reggie doesn’t complain,” she said at last. “And if he is satisfied no one else has a right to interfere.”
Lady Gwendolyn sipped her coffee, and was silent, waiting for Clémentine to go. But her sister-in-law evidently made work to detain her; not, perhaps, relishing the prospect of a tête-à-tête.
However, at last she could not find any further excuse for her presence, and dismissed her. Nothing loath, Lady Gwendolyn opened her mouth to speak, then, but Pauline stopped her nervously.
“I know you are going to say something disagreeable, that will spoil my appetite; and after being up all night, I really require support. Please, therefore, let me finish my breakfast before you begin.”
“I am afraid I can’t; every moment is precious.”